Mercer Island Reporter

Art takes over downtown this weekend | Three art fairs to attract thousands to Bellevue

Thousands of art enthusiasts will flock to downtown Bellevue today through Sunday, lured by three separate art fairs.

The BAM ARTSfair, the Bellevue Festival of the Arts and the 6th Street Fair will feature artists from a variety of mediums, including drawing/pastels, glass, jewelry and photography. A family-friendly event, the July 26-28 festivities will offer plenty of opportunities for children to explore their creative side, including sidewalk chalk and arts and craft stations. The fairs, which are free and open to the public, will also feature live music.

The crowds – 300,000 are expected over the three-day event, – will bring closures of several downtown streets. Street closure locations and times include:

• 100th Avenue NE, from NE Eighth Street to NE 10th Street, will be closed in the southbound direction from 7 a.m. to 9 p.m. on Thursday and from 5:30-10 p.m. on Sunday

• 102nd Avenue NE, from NE Eighth Street to NE 10th Street, will be closed in both directions from 7 a.m. Friday to 11 p.m. Sunday

• 106th Avenue NE, from NE Fourth Street to NE Sixth Street, will be closed in both directions from 6 p.m. Thursday to 11 p.m. Sunday.

• Northeast Sixth Street, from Bellevue Way to 106th Avenue NE, will be closed in both directions from 6 p.m. Thursday to 11 p.m. Sunday.

• Northeast 10th Street, from 106th Avenue NE to 108th Avenue NE, will be closed in the westbound direction from 5-10 p.m. Thursday.